The Telecom Foundation is proud to announce its purchase of Kiwi online giving platform Givealittle.co.nz.

Marking the change in ownership, the Foundation is turning Givealittle.co.nz into New Zealand’s first zero fees fundraising service, permanently removing the 5% administration charge as part of the deal.

In less than four years, Givealittle.co.nz has supplanted the traditional door knock or office kitchen fundraising effort raising over $2.3 million in donations for a variety of Kiwi causes.

From significant events such as the Christchurch earthquake and the tsunami in Samoa to the more offbeat challenges such as racing across Mongolia on horseback and living in a snow cave, as well as raising money for a wide range of causes such as the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Givealittle.co.nz has delivered New Zealanders a platform to raise money online in a safe environment for any cause they feel passionate about.

The online platform taps into a growing consumer appetite for “crowdfunding” internationally – where people are directly engaging with, and making an impact on, causes through peer-2-peer philanthropy and social media.

The Telecom Foundation is committed to Givealittle, wanting it to become New Zealand’s pre-eminent online fundraising tool which offers a range of innovative ways for individuals, schools and charities to reach a wider audience and get the donations where they are needed.

Bob Harvey, Chair of the Telecom Foundation, says it is a proud day for the Foundation, which was established in July 2011 with the twin goals of encouraging generosity and building a better future for Kiwi kids.

“We’re really excited that 100 per cent of every dollar donated on the site will now get through to the causes New Zealanders want to support, thanks to an ongoing commitment from Telecom to fund its administration.

“Givealittle.co.nz will now be the Telecom Foundation’s primary vehicle to encourage and facilitate generosity in New Zealand. Under Telecom Foundation’s stewardship, we believe Givealittle has the potential to be the Trade Me of online fundraising.

“When it comes to charity, New Zealanders have shown themselves to be some of the most generous people in the world. We want to harness that generosity and make it easy for people to raise funds for the causes in which they believe.”

Telecom CEO and Telecom Foundation Board member Simon Moutter, says that by bringing Givealittle.co.nz into the Foundation, Telecom will be able to apply its technical expertise to offer a permanent and sustainable solution for New Zealanders to connect with causes.

“This represents an extension of the Telecom Foundation’s core principle of encouraging generosity. Until now, the Foundation has focused its efforts internally, having developed New Zealand’s flagship payroll giving programme. Well over a thousand Telecom employees have now donated to their favourite charities via payroll deductions, with their contributions topped up by the company. The Foundation has also been active in promoting a culture of volunteerism among our people.”

Givealittle founder Nathalie Whitaker says the support of Telecom Foundation under the new ownership structure will enable Givealittle.co.nz to take a quantum leap in its market presence and its service offerings.

“When we started out four years ago, we were motivated by how technology could transform New Zealand’s philanthropic landscape and harness the generosity that all Kiwis have at heart. Under Telecom Foundation ownership, we move forward strongly towards that vision.”

Nathalie Whitaker and her team will continue to work for Givealittle.co.nz under the new ownership arrangement.